Metal wheel and process of making the same



E. IBACH.

METAL WHEEL AND PROCESS OF MAKING THE SAME.

APPLICATION man vii-I919.

1,404,395, Patented Jan. 24, 1922 2 SHILEI'S-SHEET L INVEN TOR. 1577/7 /ao/z E. IBACH.

METAL WHEEL AND PROCESS OF MAKING THE SAME. APPLICATION, FILED MAY 12. l9i9.

1,404,395, Patented Jan. 24, 1922.

2 SHtEl'S-SHEET INVENTOR.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

mIIL IBAcII, or PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE .ASSIGN- MENTS, 'ro BUDD WHEEL COMPANY, or PHILADELrHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, A

CORPORATION OF PEN N SYLVAN IA,

METAL WHEEL AN D PROCESS OF MAKING THE SAME.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Emu. IBACH, residing at Philadelphia, county of Philadelphia, State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Metal \Vheels and Processes of Making the Same, of which I declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description.

his invention relates to metal wheels and the process of making the same, being particularly directed to the type of wheel known as disc wheels.

I One object of the invention is to construct a metal wheel of the character described which is eflicient, strong, durable, econpmical of manufacture, and easily assemb ed.

A further object of the invention is to provide a metal wheel comprising two wheel discs and having a novel construction and arrangement.

A further object of the invention is to provide a new and improved process for manufacturing metal wheels. which is economical and such as to facilitate production of the wheels in large quantities.

Further objects of the .invention relate to economies of manufacture and details of construction, as will hereinafter appear from the detailed description to follow.

The objects of the invention are accomplished in one instance by the devices and means described in the following specification, but it is evident that the same may be varied widely. without departing from the scope of the invention as pointed out in the appended claims. 1

structure constituting one embodiment of the invention, which may be the preferred, is illustrated in the accompanying drawing forming a part hereof, in which:

Figure I is a vertical, longitudinal sectional view through a wheel taken along the line II of Figure III, and illustrating the relative position of the bracing members with respect to the wheel disc.

Figure II is a side view of the spider unit, partly broken away, illustrating the relative position of the two plates with respect to the radial bracing members.

Figure III is a vertical, transverse sectional View, taken along the line III-III of Figure I, and illustrating the relative position of thebraces with respect to the discs.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed Kay 12,

'out the several views,

PatentedJ an. 24, 1922. 1919. Serial No. 296,402.

Figure IV is a perspective view, illustratmg the manner of securing the metal plates to the radial braces.

In the drawings, similar reference characters refer to corresponding parts throughand the sectional views are taken looking in the direction of the small arrows at the ends of the section lines.

In. general, the invention comprises a novel form of disc wheel, which is adapted to be made up of a plurality of parts suitably connected together in such a manner as tov produce an exceedingly strong and rigid structure, and the invention comprises novel means employed in securing the several parts together in order to provide an efficient wheel structure.

In the embodiment of the inventionillustrated herewith, a hub 10 carries the wheel, which may be detachably mounted upon the hub. The wheel comprises two substantially parallel wheel discs 11, which are preferably constructed of sheet metal, and are bent adjacent to their peripheries to form circular channels or grooves 12 extending around the discs and U-shaped in cross section.

The wheel discs 11 are suitably spaced apart by braces 13 which are formed of sheet metal and extend substantially from the hub 10 to the channels 12 adjacent to the peripheries of the wheel discs 11. -The braces 13 are U-shaped in cmsssection, and are slightly reduced in width fromthe point 14 to their inner ends. A circular sheet metal plate 15 is attached to each reduced side portion of the braces by connections comprising tongues 16 offset from one side face of the circular plate 15, which are adapted to fit within slots 17 formed in the substantially parallel side portions of the radial braces 13. The plates 15 may be additionally secured to the radial braces 13 by being spot-welded thereto at suitable intervals as indicated at 18. Two of the circular plates 15 are employed in the construction of each wheel and are connected in a similar manner to the opposite sides of the reduced portions of the braces 13. The inner circular plate 15 has a cylindrical drawn portion 20, extending over the inner end of the braces 13 and terminating in the circular opening 21 formed in the center of the outer wheel disc 11. The edge of the inner disc adjoining the central opening formed therein 15 dra n to form a conical portion 23, which projects into the enlarged inner end of the portion 20 of the inner plate 15.

In assembling the wheel, the braces 13 are properly positioned on and secured to the circular plates 15, so that the plates with the braces form a unit. One of the wheel discs 11 is then placed on the braces 13 and spot-welded thereto at suitable points, as indicated at 26.

It will be seen from Figure I that the reduced portion of each of the braces 13 is suflicient to permit the circular plate 15 to lie snugly between the brace and the inner.

face of the wheel disc 11.

In addition to the radial braces 13, the wheel is provided with a plurality of radial braces 27 alternating with and arranged midway between the radial braces 13, said braces 27 being U-shaped in cross section and having their outer ortions provided with slots 28 within which are adapted to fit tongues 29 formed upon the adjoining face of the circular plate 15 in a manner similar to that in which the tongues 16 formed upon the inner faces of the plate 15 fit within the slots 17 formed in the parallel portions of the radial braces 13. The circular plates 15 are adapted to be additionally secured to the radially extending braces 27 by being spot-welded thereto at suitable intervals as indicated at 30. Mounted on the inner side of the wheel is a brake drum 32 of the usual constnuction. The drum 32 is secured to the wheel by bolts 33, which project through registering holes in the' drum, the wheel disc 11 and the plate 15. In order to strengthen the wheel midway between the center and the periphery and adjacent to the bolts 33, sheet metal members 34 of the same width as the braces 13 and 27 are mounted on these braces by having their straight portions 35, Figure I, spot-welded thereto.- The curved portions 36 of these members curve about the bolts 33. The side edges of these members engage the circular plates 15 and prevent, the bolts 33 from being tightened toomuch, which, in the absence of these members, might happen with consequent damage or distortion to the braces 13 and 27.

Sheet metal braces 38, U-shaped in cross section, are next connected by spot-welding to the wheel disc 11 mounted on the braces 13 and 27. These braces 38 extend transversely of the radial of the wheel disc 11 and are positioned substantially midway between the radial braces 13. The other wheel disc 11 is then secured to the radial braces 13 and 27, and the transverse braces 38 in the "manner similar to that described in connection with the first disc.

kmplurality of T-shaped braces 40 are provi' each of which hasa radial transverse portion 41 and oppositely extending flanges 42 on one end of the portion 41. After both wheel discs have been secured to the braces 13. 27 and 38 in the manner previously described, the braces 40 are inserted longitudinally into the space between the opposite endsof the flanges 43 forming the outer sides of the channels 12, and then turned 90 at right angles to the plane of the wheel discs to keep their opposite ends in the side channels. The inner walls of the channels 12 are then secured to the flanges 42 of the braces 40 in any suitable manner as by bein spot-welded thereto as indicated at 45. It will be observed that at'the outer end of each of the radial braces 13, there is one of the T-bars 40 which engages with and is partially supported by the outer end of one of the bars 13. so that in effect each bar 13 .and the corresponding T-bar 40 form a spoke -40 have been fastened in position, the interior of the wheel may be sprayed with paintor other desirable non-corrosive and protective substance or coated in any other desirable manner.

After the interior of the metal wheel has been suitably coated as stated above, the rim 46 is shrunk upon the flanges 43 forming the outside walls of the channel 12 of the wheel disc. The T-shaped braces 40 have outwardly extending projections 47 which project between the flanges 43 and have their outer ends flush with the outer surfaces of the flanges so that when the 'rim is shrunk on the flanges it is also shrunk upon the p ojections. Therefore, the T-shaped memb rs provide a suitable spacing and bracing means for the wheel dlscs adjacent to their peripheries, and also serve to suitably support the rim. The rim 46 may be welded at intervals along its inner edges to the channel portions 12 of the wheel disc if desired.

The wheel as thus assembled is mounted upon the hub 10, the hub portion 20 of the inner plate 15 being adapted to be seated on the central cylindrical portion of the hub 10. This hub 10 has an integral inner flange 48 and an outer detachable flange 49. The wheel is mounted upon the hub with the inner wheel disc 11' engaging the flange 48, and then the removable flange 49 is placed upon the front end of the hub, and

bolts inserted through holes in the flanges '48 and 49, and-in the plates 15 and wheel discs to rigidly connect all the parts .together. The holes in the plates and discs through which the bolts project may be drilled before the plate and the wheel discs are assembled, the holes of the above members being brought into coincidence or registry for being assembled. When the wheel is assembled, these holes may be positioned so that their registry with each other is assured.

It will be observed that the braces 40 assist in supporting the rim 46 and prevent buckling, bending or distortion of the rim 46 and the wheel discs. If the load is supported in the central plane of the wheel, as when the center of the rim passes over a stone or ridge, the braces prevent the rim from being bent at the point or line ot contact, and the wheel discs are supported not only by the rim but also by the braces where they engage the ends of the radial braces 13 and the inner walls or flanges of the channels 12. When a stone or ridge supports the wheel at one side of the central frame, the braces 40 assist in the supporting and aid in preventing displacement of the wheel discs on the other side of the central plane, as the braces project into channel 12 and are connected thereto.

It is thought that the construction of the improved wheel will be clear from the above description. The articular construction and arrangement 0 the braces makes the wheel very strong and efficient as they are arranged to sustain any strain to which the wheel is subjected. It is also obvious that by means of the particular arrangement of tongues and slots formed upon adjacent faces-of the circular plate 15 and the radial braces 13 and 27, these parts are capable of being readily and easily assembled and positioned relatively to each other, .and will be securely held against relative movement during the attachment of the wheel discs thereto. v

While I have shown and described in considerable detail a specific embodiment of my invention, it is to be understood that this showing and description is illustrative only, and for the purpose of rendering my invention more clear, and that I do not regard the invention as limited to the details of construction illustrated or described, nor any of them, except in so far as I have included such limitation within the terms of the following claims, in which it is my intention to claim all novelty inherent in my invention broadly as well as specifically.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

1. In a metal disc wheel, radial braces, plates interlocked to the braces adjacent to their innerends, and wheel discs connected to each of the braces beyond the plates. 7

2. In a metal disc wheel, radial braces, plates connected to the braces by co-operatipg lugs and slots adjacent to their inner ends, and wheel discs connected to each of the braces beyond. the plates.

3. In a met-a1 disc wheel, radial braces U-shaped in cross section, plates fastened to the braces by interlocking connections adjacent to their inner ends, and wheel discs spot-welded to the opposite sides of the braces beyond the plates.

4. In a metal disc whee], radial braces U-shaped in cross section and having their inner ends reduced in width, plates connected to the sides of the reduced portions of the braces by registering tongues and slots so that the plates and the outer portions of the sides of the braces are in the same plane, and wheel discs mounted on the braces beyond the plates.

5. In a metal disc wheel, radial braces U- shaped in cross section and having their inner ends reduced in width, plates connected by registering tongues and slots to the sides of the reduced portions of the braces so that the'plates and the sides of the braces beyond the plates are in the same plane, and wheel discs spot-welded to the braces beyond the plates.

6. In a metal disc wheel, an inner hub member, radial braces, sheet metal plates connected to the opposite sides of the braces by co-operating tongues and slots adjacent to their inner ends, one of the lates being shaped to form an outer hub, and wheel discs connected to the braces beyond the plate.

7. In a metal disc wheel, an inner hub member, radial braces U-shaped in cross sec-- tion and reduced in width adjacent to their inner ends, plates connected to the opposite sides of the braces at the reduced portions by registering tongues and slots so that the plates are in the same planes as the sides of the braces beyond the plates, one of the plates being bent to form on outer hub member, and wheel discs connected to the braces beyond the plates.

8. A method of manufacturing metal disc wheels which consists in first detach-ably connectin the sides of radial braces to plates near tieir ends to form a .unit, and then connecting the wheel discs to the' braces beyond the plates.

9. A method of manufacturing meta-l disc wheels which consists in first interlocking the sides of radial braces to plates near their inner ends to form a unit, and then connecting wheel discs to the braces beyond the plates b spot-welding.

10. A met 0d of manufacturing metal disc wheels which consists in first interlocking thesides of radial braces to plates near the inner ends of the braces to form a unit, and then connecting wheel discs to the braces beyond the plates.

11. .A method of manufacturing metal disc wheels which consists in first connecting the sides of radial braces to lates near the inner ends of the braces by interlocking tongues and slots to form a unit, and then connecting wheel discs to the braces beyond the plates, and subsequentl slipping cross braces into channels forme adjacent to the peripheries of the wheel discs and connecting the last named braces to the discs.

12. A method of manufacturing metal disc Wheels which consists in detachably interlocking the sides of radial braces to plates near the inner ends of the braces to form a unit, and the-n spot-welding wheel discs to the braces beyond the plates, and subsequently slipping cross braces into channels formed at the peripheries of the wheel discs and spot-welding the same thereto.

13. In a metal disc wheel, radial braces, plates interlocked to each of the radial braces, by registering tongues and slots, wheel discs connected to each of the braces beyond the plates, a hub having flanges,and

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

EMIL IBACH 

